Braking device and method of causing braking effect



Aug; 7, 192a 1,679,367

' W. MEYSENBURG BRAKING DEVICE AND METHOD Q1 CAUSING BRAKING EFFECTFiled Nov. 16. 1922 IUUGUlOl Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,679,367 PATENT OFFICE.

WILHELM MEYSENBURG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BRAKING DEVICE AND 'METHOD OF CAUSING BRAKING-EFFECT.

Application filed November 16, 1922, Serial No. 601,418, and in GermanyDecember 8, 1921.

' explosion engines, the object of the invention being to provide meansallowing to operate the brake most effectively.

tis an object of the invention to provide means by which the brakingeffect upon the vehicle is accomplished by means of air, the elasticityof an air cushion causing the hr; king effect to take place withoutshocks, neither when putting on the brake, nor when starting the motoragain.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which will allow toimmediately put on the brake at any time when necessary during theoperation of the car.

"It is a further object of the invention to provide means which willallow the regulation of the operation of the braking device within verywide limits in an easy and efficient manner.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means which will allowthe opera tion of the braking device without operating the clutches.

These and other objects will be more particularly pointed outhereinafter in the description and the claims in which I descrlbe myinvention, by way of example, in connection with a vertical fourcylinder motor of the four cycle type, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing in which I illustrate my new braking device, theFigure 1 showing a vertical longitudinal section through such a fourcylinder four cycle type motor, provided with the braking device; Figure2 is a top view of the braking device as mounted on top of thecylindersiof the motor; Figure 3 is aside view on line 3- 3 of Figure 1showing a. cam such as constituting a part of the braking device; andFig. i is a vertical sectional view of the spring actuated valveoperatively connected with the intake pipe of the motor for theadmission of air into the cylinders of the motor.

There are already methods for producing a braking effectupon vehiclesdriven by ex plosive power in which the multiple explosion motor iscaused to work as a compressor and in which the air, entered into thecylinders, is continuously more and more com pressed within the space ofthe cylinders thus compressed,

closed by valves; the air in one cylinder is then during the next cycleeither passed through the intake pipe and the inlet valve into anothercylinder just filled with fresh air, or the air, admitted into one ormore low pressure cylinders, is pressed into a closed space or chamberand passed from same into one or several high pressure cylinders whereit is highly compressed and during the next cycle'is pressed into theclosed chamber. These two methods causing a braking effect by the air aswell as others operated by means of explosion motors have thedisadvantage that the change of the explosion motor into a com pressorrequires the arrangement of the camshaft in its hearings in such mannerthat it is slidable along its longitudinal axis; furthermore there mustbe more cams on this shaft than is necessary for regular running. Thesemethods also render it necessary to supply the motor with a safety valveso as to guard against too high pressures.

All these disadvantages are avoided by my new braking device and themethod of operating the same, the explosion motor being turned into acompressor without any interference with the sensitive valve operatingmechanism of the explosion engine by connecting the combustion chambersof the cylinders, in which the pistons strike in the same direction, i.e. move in unison, by pipes or other air conducting means, withregulating valves, or other suitable means, interposed at certainpoints. I do not need any safety valves against too high a pressureWithin the cylinders as the outlet valves of the explosion motor act assafety valves for in case of excessive compression within theclosedchamber the pressure upon the lower side of the outlet valve willovercome the elasticity of the springs and open the valves until thepressure is equalized.

In the following I am going to describe theprinciple only of how I causethe braking effect with the means to accomplish this pur pose; the otherfeature of how to accomplish this effect in one mechanical operationfrom the seat of the driver by simply pullingdownwardly a lever and totransfer this motion upon the various elements of the braking device,forming the subject matter of this application, can be carried out inmany different ways of which one way is described further below.

In the drawing, Figure 1, a, b, 0 and d denote the four cylinders of theexplosion motor, the same being of the four cycle type;

the pistons run in the same direction within cylinders a and (Z andlikewise in b and c. The cylinders in each of these sets a, (Z and Z), 0are connected with each other by suitable air conducting means, such aspipes p and g, respectively. The connections between these pipes and thecombustion chambers of the cylinders are made by the short nipples e, f,f/ and it which are provided preferably at the upper end, where they arejoined to the pipes 79 and q, respectively, with the throttling valves0, f, g and it, respectively, their stems being actuated by springs toopen the valves when depressed for instance by the cams. m, Z, la and i,respectively secured to the shaft 18 operatively connected with thelever 15. The gas mixture is supplied by the intake pipe 8, which inturn can be shut off by a plate valve 8; a spring actuated plate valve12, operated by, a cam 0 on shaft 18 and communicating with the outsideair, is connected with its outlet pipe to the intake pipe 8 so as toadmit air into the same and from there into the cylinders, when thevalve n is open and the plate valve .9 is closed. The exhaust pipe 6,with which all cylinders are connected, is closed by a plate valve 1'and the pressure within the exhaust pipe can be modified as the platevalve '1'- can be adjusted in its position. It is understood that thefour cylinders are arranged to have their power stroke or explosionstake place in the order a, 0, (Z and Z).

Nothing is changed at all in the valve operating mechanism when themotor is operated as a brake. An inspection of the Figure 1 shows that arod 15 hingedly connects the upper end 16 01 the double arm lever 17secured to the shaft 18 rotatably arranged in journals upwardlyprojecting from and being integral with each of the throttling valves 6,f, g and/L; a rod 19 hingedly connects the end 20 of the aforesaiddouble arm with the upper end of another double arm lever 21 secured tothe outer end of the horizontal axis of the plate valve 7'. Finally arod 22 hingedly connects both the lower end 23 of the arm 21 and theplate valves 8 in the intake pipe 8.. It is obvious that a downwardmovement of the lever 15 rotates the shaft 18 far enough so as to passthe cams m, Z, is, and i on the stems of the throttling valves cflf, rand h, respectively, and likewise cam 0 on the stem of the valve 71,thereby opening all the aforesaid valves; simultaneously plate valves 1*and s are closed. Now the gas mixture is shut off and air is admittedthrough the valve 71 into the upper part of the intake pipe 8, fromwhere it passes in the further course of the operation into and throughthe various cylinders into the closed exhaust pipe to be compressedthere. By the upward stroke of the pistons in the cylinders a amid theair within these cylinders is pressed through the pipe p and through theopen outlet valve of the cylinder (Z into the exhaust pipe 6, which isclosed by means of )late valve 1', or into an extension chamber notshown) attached to and coinmunicating with said exhaust pipe 2. Duringthis time the pistons oi the cylinders b and 0 were striking downwardlythereby sucking air through the intake pipe .9, now communicating withthe air, and through the open inlet valve of cylinder 0.

At the end of the cycle or immediately afterwards, at the beginning ofthe next cycle the outlet valve of the cylinder '(Z is closed and itsinlet valve is opened, the pressure of the air compressed within thedead space of cylinders (Z and a and within the pipe 7) being therebyreduced to atmospheric pressure, whereupon the pistons ot the cylinders(Z and a, continuing to strike dowin wardly, suck in air through theopen inlet valve of the cylinder (Z and through the pipe 72, the airbeing admitted by the open puppctvalve a into the upper branch oi. theintake pipe 8. These operations are repeated in the manner describedwith each half revolution of the motor inasmuch as always simultaneouslyin a pair of cylinders, as for instance cylinders a, (Z and Z), 0,having pistons striking in the same direction, air is once sucked in andonce compressed. It is obvious that in this method of accomplishing abraking eflect there is no compressed air which by expanding could exertany power upon the downwardly striking pistons thereby counteracting thebraking effect as at the moment of changing from one cycle to the nextone the air within the cylinders, above the pistons, is put inconnection with the atmosphere by the respective inlet valve which opensat that particular moment. The maximum pressure of the compressed air inthe closed exhaust pipe is automatically regulated by the springactuated outlet valve.

In order to regulate the air pressure in the exhaust pipe 1: or in theextension chamber attached to and coinu'mnicating with same, and to thusmodify the braking effect, the plate valve 7' in the exhaust pipe I? canbe regulated in its position and according to requirements it can beadjusted by hand.

The normal work of the motors is restored by releasing the rod 15; assoon as this is done the cams at, Z, Z: and i are taken oil the pistonstems of valves 0, f, a, g, and it and the valves are closed;siu'mltaneously the inlet pipe 8 is openedto admit the explosive gasmixture and the pipe 6 is open again for the exhaust of the burnedgases.

It is of course understood that the braking eti'ect described above canalso be applied toother types of explosion motors, for instance tosix-cycle motors; furthermore there is no limit to the number ofcylinders of which the combustion chambers, having pistons striking inthe same direction, are connected by pipes in the way described. Theseconnections may be effected also by other similar means, as for instancechannels arranged in the casting of the cylinder; the throttling devices6', f, g and h at the upper end of the connection nipples e, f, g and hrespectively, as well as in the exhaust pipe 25, the plate valve r, canbe substituted by any convenient means, as for instance cocks, platevalves, pistons, r the like; also the puppet valve n can be substitutedby any other convenient equivalent.

The essential point of the invention lies in connecting by rcgulatableair conductors the combustion chambers of the motor cylinders, havingthe pistons strike in the same direction; in closing the exhaust pipe bya regulatable member; in establishing communication of the combustionchambers of the cylinders with the atmosphere by introducing a suitablevalve into the intake pipe, which steps turn the motor into a compressorwithout interference with the valve regulating mechanism, so thatsimultaneously with one cycle the pistons of one group of cylinders suckin air and those of the other group of cylinders press the air into theclosed exhaust pipe.

Vhat I claim is:

1. The method of causing a braking effect upon a vehicle, driven by amultiple explosion motor, by turning said motor into a compressor, saidmethod consisting in closing the exhaust pipe of the motor, putting thecombustion chambers of each group of cylinders, the pistons of whichmove in unison, into communication with each other, and admitting aironly into said combustion chambers by connecting the intake pipe for thegas supply with the, atmospheric air.

2. The method of causing a braking effect upon a vehicle, driven by amultiple explosion motor, by turning said motor into a compressor, saidmethod consisting in throttling the exhaust pipe of the motor, put--ting the combustion chambers of each group of cylinders, the pistons ofwhich move in unison, intocommunication with each other, and admittingair only into said combustion chambers by connecting the intake pipe forthe gas supply with the atmospheric air.

3. The method of. causing a braking effect upon a vehicle, driven by amultiple explosion motor, by turning said motor into a compressor, saidmethod consisting in closing the exhaust pipe of the motor, putting thecombustion chambers of each group of cylinders, the pistons of whichmove in unison, into conn'nunication with each other, admitting air onlyinto said combustion chambers by connecting the intake pipe for the gassupply with the atmospheric air, pressing air by the pistons of onegroup of cylinders into the closed exhaust pipe, and sucking in airduring the same cycle by the pistons of the other group of cylinders.

4;. The method of causing a braking effect upon a vehicle driven by amultiple explosion motor, by turning said motor into a compressor, saidmethod consisting in closing the exhaust pipe of said motor, putting thecombustion chambers of each group of cylinders, the pistons of whichmove in. unison, into regulatable communication with each other, andadmitting air only into said combustion chambers by connecting theintake pipe for the gas supply with the atmospheric air.

5. The method of causing a braking effect upon a vehicle driven by amultipleexplosion motor, by turning said motor into a compressor, saidmethod consisting in closing the exhaust pipe of the motor, puttingthecombustion chznubers of each group of cylinders, the pistons of whichmove in unison, into communication with each other, admitting air onlyinto said combustion chambers by connecting the intake pipe for the g ssupply with the atmospheric air, pressing air by the pistons of onegroup of cylinders through their connection pipe and the open outletvalve of one of the cylinders into the closed exhaust pipe, sucking inair during the same cycle by the pistons of the other group of cylindersthrough the intake pipe connected with the atmosphere and through theopen inlet valve of one of these cylinters, and alternately repeatingthese co1npression and sucking operations.

6. The method of causing a braking effect upon a vehicle, driven by amultiple explosion motor, by turning said motor into a compressor, saidmethod comprising pressing air from within the combustion chambers 01''a group of cylinders, communicating with each other and having theirpistons move in unison, through their common passageway and the openoutlet of the cylinders into the closed exhaust pipe, and timing thiscon'ipression so as to have the exhaust valve close at substantially theend of this compression stroke.

7. The method of causing braking effect upon a vehicle, driven by amultiple explosion motor, by turning said motor into a con'ipressor,said method comprising taking in air through a common entrance pipe intoa plurality of cylinders each of which has an individual exit, closingthe exhaust pipe of the motor, compressing the air simultaneously withinsaid plurality of cylinders, and discharging the compressed air from thesaid cylinders sii'nultaneously through one of said exits into theclosed exhaust pipe;

S. In an air braking device for vehicles 7 chambers of each group ofcylinders having the pistons move in unison during a cycle, means withinthe intake pipe shutting off the gas supply and admitting air insteadinto the combustion chambers of the cylinders, and means closing theexhaust pipe of the motor.

9. In an air braking device for vehicles driven by a multiple explosionmotor, in connection with the cylinders of said motor, the combinationof air passageways for comn'ninicating with each other the con'lbustionchambers of each group of cylinders having the pistons move in unisonduring a cycle, means within the intake pipe shutting oil the gas supplyand admitting air instead into the combustion ehamlcers of thecylinders, and of adjustable means closing the exhaust pipe of themotor.

10. In an air braking device for vehicles driven by a multiple explosionmotor, in connection with the cylinders of said motor, the combinationof air passageways for communicating with each other the combustionchambers of each group of cylinders having the pistons move in unisonduring a cycle, means within aforesaid passageways regulating the flowof air within same, means within the intake pipe shutting oil the gassupply and admitting air instead into the combustion chambers, and meansclosing the exhaust pipe of the motor.

11. In an air braking device for vehicles driven by a multiple0X)lOSlOI1 motor, in connection with the cylim ers of said motor, thecombination of air passageways i'or communieating with each other thecombustion chambers of each group of cylinders having the pistons movein unison, means within aforesaid passageways regulating the flow of airthrough the same, means within the intake pipe shutting oil the gassupply and admitting air instead into the combustion chambers of thecylinders of the motor.

12. In air braking device for vehicles driven by a multiple explosionmotor, adapted to he changed into a compressor, said device comprisingpassageways putting each group of cylinders, having the piston move inunison during the same period of a cycle, into eoninlunication with eachother.

13. An air braking device for vehicles driven by a multiple explosionmotor adapted to be changed into a compressor, said device comprisingregulatable air passagcwa 5 putting each group of cylinders, having tiepiston move in unison during the same period of the cycle, intocommunication with each other.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, this3d day of November, 1922.

\VILHELM MEYSENBURG.

